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Autumn Spiced Pumpkin Tray Bake

I had one of those parenting moments a couple of weeks ago which I will never forget. It took my breath away with an emotional killer sucker punch to the paunch. It literally hurt to breathe for a few minutes. I realised what it was in a heartbeat…..parental grief. Something that I did not know existed until becoming a parent, obviously not being one before, I paid no heed to the enthusiastic but “boring” conversations of parents in my peer groups. I had no inkling of the terribly painful phenomenon that lay ahead.

My son at 7 has taken up Motocross. It is something that has consumed him for a long time in equal parts with joy and terror. Joy at riding his bike and doing well but terror at hurting himself and coming last or thereabouts. But above all he did not want to stop.I have quite often wanted to drop kick him all the way back to his bedroom as he thrashed tantrum stylee all kitted up on the ground as he refused to ride after asking to all morning. It has required me to see him through all of the anxieties and bizarre feelings of shame that engulfed the poor child at times and it seemed that mostly only I would do. This was a juxtaposition of emotions for me. A really wonderful feeling to have the ability to empower and comfort him but miserable to also watch and listen as he battled with irrational anxieties that crippled him at times. It was all I could do not to send him to bed with a whiskey and valium.

In something akin to a Rocky movie, obviously just in our own heavily biased minds, he has risen heroically above all his doubts and fears and is now bathing in the glory of nipping at the leaders heels, well nearly (parental license). This rise in his performance has brought a happiness and confidence to his whole life which has been the very best bit of it all. That in itself makes me weep profusely if I think about it for more than ten seconds or psycho stare at his beautiful face as he sleeps (every night). However it is also responsible for the previously mentioned punch to the paunch………”ADRIAN!”

As we were hurtling down the motorway en route to a much-anticipated motocross meet with me rehearsed and ready for my start line routine, he uttered the fateful words. I made a joke at my own expense and laughed loudly…..”Mummy do you always have to come to the motocross races?” he asked….”Sometimes you embarrass me”………as tumbleweed swept across my heart, I felt actual physical pain………. He was now more concerned about what the other boys would think than needing me to be there to steady his nerves and wipe away his tears. In a scene from a sad eighties movie I stared desolately out of the window, trying hard to stifle my sobs to Simple Mind’s “Don’t you forget about me” (Absolute Radio) as the silent tears flowed down my cheeks. Crazy selfish bi.ch.

Of course I was happy for him and his new found independence, of course it was what we had been wishing for but I had also wanted to remain the centre of his world FOREVER. The feeling of him reaching for my hand with his little one is just one of the best in all the world. Truth be told I had always hoped he would become Timothy Lumsden and never leave home. I’ve been trying to send him out the house in trousers that are too short and girl’s t-shirts to ensure he is ostracised by his peers but the scamp is far too fashion forward and wont allow it. I don’t know how to be anything other than an obsessed, clingy Mum. I’ve even considered becoming a dinner lady at his school just so I can cut up his food and make sure he finishes his peas…………. First it’s don’t embarrass me on the start line/school run, next it’s debauched boys holidays in Maguluf . Slow down F.F.S. I want to stop and freeze frame it all…….”TIMOTHY!”

This is a versatile Autumn PumpkinTraybake that you can keep for grownups or decorate with ghoulish sprinkles for a Halloween tea. Kids and adults alike seem to love cream-cheese icing so it’s usually a big winner whatever you put on top.

I have linked this post with Autumn Pumpkin Recipe with Cook Blog Share, Brilliant Blog Posts, Recipe of the Week and Friday Frolics.

Print Recipe

Autumn Spiced Pumpkin Tray Bake

This is a wonderful, moist spiced cake perfect for Autumn. For Halloween you could decorate with ghoulish sprinkles.

Pre-heat the oven to 180 C. Beat the eggs and butter together in a large mixing bowl with a hand held electric mixer or in a free standing mixer.

Mix the dry ingredients together in another bowl before adding to the eggs and mixing together well. Add the grated pumpkin and mix again thoroughly. Simples.

Pour the batter into a greased and lined baking tray. I use bakoglide. Mine measured 20 cm by 30 cm. Bake for 45 mins until springy to the touch and an inserted skewer comes out clean.

Leave to cool for ten mins in the tin before removing to a wire rack to completely cool.

Add all the ingredients to a food processor and whizz together. If you don't have a food processor then sieve your icing sugar onto the butter and cream cheese and beat well to combine to a smooth paste.

Using a palette knife spread the icing all over the cake. Using a ruler or just your eye if you're confident cut up into squares. Decorate with fudge chunks or whatever scary sprinkles you can find for Halloween.

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Comments

Awww, it always hurts when they start fighting for independence, but like you say we have to try and feel proud but it’s so bloody difficult. I always want to shout at them “I carried you for 9 months and got piles because of you!” That would really embarrass them 😉 #FridayFrolics

I think that sounds very on point!I did it again today poor kid.He was genuinely mortified.He attempted whilst on roller skates to pick up a tray of pizza and chips and a pot of chilli and chips from the restaurant counter and skate across the room to our table.Bearing in mind he cannot really skate and had to hold on along the wall to get there.WTF!!!!!!I had to shout NO!!!!!He died!!!xx

Awwww. My biggest is just about to turn 8 and is definitely aware of getting older. At bedtime we normally read him a chapter of a book and then he has some time for silent reading before lights out. Last night he said he had been thinking that maybe 8 is too old for a bedtime story. Where do the years go? Thanks for linking up to #FridayFrolics

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About me

I'm a perimenopausal mother of two little ones with passion for good times and good food.I came to parenthood a little late in life so find myself exhausted and longing for my slippers most of the time.To this end I am passionate for recipes that are seriously simple but deliver on flavour every time,particularly for those moments when I really cannot be arsed and just want to sit and drink more wine and eat crisps. Read more

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